This challenge is a bit of a departure for the Cafe. It's a mix of architecture, interior design and merchandising concepts, rather than just straight illustration.

Apple obviously had a great idea when they opened the Apple Store. It was clean and bright, with lots of things to play with, places to sit, people to talk to, and movies to watch. It made most other computer stores look like the black market in Blade Runner.

So then, what would a Strata Store look like? How would they encourage people to come in? What's the best way to show off their products, or tend to users that need assistance? Would there be a theatre showing off some of the great work produced here at the Cafe? Would our favourite designers be manning the Genius Bar?

The task is to visualize the inside of a "Strata Store", complete with product displays, counters and registers, and anything else that would make a modern shopping experience complete.

The final entries will still be posted without names for voting, but I'd like to reduce the need to keep everything secret till voting day. You're welcome to post works in progress to the gallery, and solicit advice from the forums at any time before the challenge ends.

Models may be imported from external modelers (eg. Wings, Amapi, Silo, etc.). Any amount of post work may be done in Photoshop or other image editors, but try to avoid excessively "hand painting" the image.

All 3D rendering for this project must be performed by Strata 3D.

Rules and Conditions

The 3D rendering in this challenge must be completely entirely in Strata3D. Modelling can be done in any program, as long as the models are imported into Strata3D for rendering. Photoshop, Illustrator, or other image editors or page layout programs may be used for post-processing, texture creation or page layout.

If you have any questions regarding challenge rules or theme guidelines, please email me at michael@stratacafe.com

Entries will be accepted until midnight on April 24th. Judging will be done online by any member of the cafe with a gallery that's willing to vote =)

Submissions must be JPG, TIFF or PCT images no wider than 800 pixels. All images will be compressed as JPG's and reduced to 800 pixels wide. The image cannot contain your name or email address anywhere on it, as the judging will be anonymous.

These rules may be subject to change without notice before the close of the contest.

Please, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the contest, please email me at: michael@stratacafe.com

The benefits of the contest:

1) Winners will receive a charming trophy graphic that will reside on the winners profile page on StrataCafe, forever and ever.

2) People can come to this page to get information on up and coming contests and view past winners (That would be you!)

3) You will receive the adoration of your friends and family, as well as most of the people who visit StrataCafe. (Note: Adoration not a guarantee.)